Jump directly to the content

A BLOODY mattress, restraints and a loaded gun were amongst the harrowing items detectives found in the room where father-of-three Anthony Todt allegedly killed his children, wife and the family's dog.

Todt then remained in the room for weeks with the bodies before police discovered him among the decayed and, in the case of one son, partially mummified remains of his family.

 Photos have been released of the room where Anthony Todt allegedly killed his family (above)
24
Photos have been released of the room where Anthony Todt allegedly killed his family (above)Credit: Orlando Police Department
 Todt (above after his arrest) is now facing the death penalty for the brutal massacre, which he says he cannot remember
24
Todt (above after his arrest) is now facing the death penalty for the brutal massacre, which he says he cannot rememberCredit: Orlando Police Department
 The shirt one of Todt's sons was wearing at the time of his death
24
The shirt one of Todt's sons was wearing at the time of his deathCredit: Orlando Police Department

Todt, 45, will stand trial next month and is facing the death penalty for the murders, which he said, in a prison call, happened before Christmas.

The images released this week seemed to confirm that, with no sign of a Christmas tree, wrapping paper or any presents.

In a call from his jail cell, Todt told a relative that he had no recollection of the weeks after the alleged murders.

Images were also released of the weapons he used to carry out the alleged murders: two hunting knives, two boxes of Benadryl tablets and a bottle of anti-histamine syrup.

In the and their two boys, the medical examiner wrote: "Based upon the circumstances, as currently known, the autopsy findings, and toxicology analysis, the cause of death of [Todt] was homicidal violence of unspecified means in association with diphenhydramine toxicity."

It is still unclear how his four-year-old daughter Zoe lost her life as the toxicology report shows a non-fatal amount of benadryl in her system and she had no visible injuries.

Police reported that Todt had himself tried to take a lethal dose of Benadryl when they entered the house during a welfare check in mid-January.

These photos now confirm that Todt used very little Benadryl to drug his family, and that one of his sons fought back.

 

 One of the knives allegedly used in the murders
24
One of the knives allegedly used in the murdersCredit: Orlando Police Department
 Todt said in a prison call he cannot remember killing Megan and their children Alex, Tyler and Zoe
24
Todt said in a prison call he cannot remember killing Megan and their children Alex, Tyler and ZoeCredit: Facebook
 The second knife allegedly used to stab a member of the Todt family
24
The second knife allegedly used to stab a member of the Todt familyCredit: Orlando Police Department

A long scratch is also visible on his neck while his hands are seen covered in blisters and cuts. There is little additional information offered on his call with a female relative he refers to as "Cheesepuff."

“I’m in an isolation-type cell wearing a vest only for at least six weeks, they’ve been telling me.," said Todt at the start of the call.

"I don’t remember anything pretty much over Christmas and the first week I got here. I don’t remember coming here. I don’t remember anything after the events that happened, that kind of stuff.

"I have no idea where I was, where I am and the only thing I remember is being at the hospital I guess.

"I assume before I got here and I remember talking about ... and that’s all I remember and I remember waking up here seeing one of the officers that I’ve become pretty close with.

He then added: "Other than that, I have no idea of anything.”

 First aid spray streaked with blood was also found in the room
24
First aid spray streaked with blood was also found in the roomCredit: Orlando Police Department
 The clothing found on one of Todt's sons
24
The clothing found on one of Todt's sonsCredit: Orlando Police Department
 The clothes were stained from the bodies
24
The clothes were stained from the bodiesCredit: Orlando Police Department

Todt also praised his wife during that same call.

“I want you to know a couple of things. That I absolutely loved, honored and obeyed Megan through everything," said Todt.

"Um because a lot of things will come out, I can’t talk about it right now. Realize that, OK?”

He also said his last recollection was searching for his daughter's Mickey Mouse necklace when he blacked out, before questioning the validity of his own confession.

"I have no idea what I told investigators," said Todt.

"Just know that I will protect Megan’s dignity until the very end."

Todt also asked the relative to find a Mickey Mouse necklace for his daughter Zoe.

"I couldn’t find the Mickey thing so if you could find that," said Todt.

"I couldn’t find it in the jewelry box and I ended up falling asleep - and let’s just leave it at that."

 The rosary beads one of Todt's sons was holding when he dies
24
The rosary beads one of Todt's sons was holding when he diesCredit: Orlando Police Department
 The trash search uncovered Benadryl boxes
24
The trash search uncovered Benadryl boxesCredit: Orlando Police Department
Anthony Todt stabbed his two sons in the abdomen per the initial report from the Office of the Medical Examiner.
24
Anthony Todt stabbed his two sons in the abdomen per the initial report from the Office of the Medical Examiner.Credit: Instagram

The toxicology reports for the Todt family reveal they were all drugged with Benadryl.

Brothers Aleksander, 13, and Tyler, 11, had both been stabbed but neither had signs of hemorrhaging or blood in the abdominal cavity, according to autopsies completed by the in Florida's District Nine and obtained by The Sun.

"A 10.7 x 2.1 centimeter stab wound is on the upper abdomen, centered 11/2 inches to the right of the midline and 2012 inches below the vertex of the head." reads Tyler's report.

"The wound probes at least 31/2 inches deep into the abdominal cavity. A portion of the bowel protrudes through the wound. There is a defect to the large intestine. There is no hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity."

 A loaded gun was also found in the bedroom
24
A loaded gun was also found in the bedroomCredit: Orlando Police Department
 There were makeshift restraints tied to the bed
24
There were makeshift restraints tied to the bedCredit: Orlando Police Department
 The mattresses all four family members were found on, with Todt sleeping the same bed as his wife and daughter
24
The mattresses all four family members were found on, with Todt sleeping the same bed as his wife and daughterCredit: Orlando Police Department

His brother's report, however, details the very grim situation inside the house after the murders.

"The body is in an early state of early putrefactive decomposition," states Aleksander's complaint.

"Brown-green discoloration is on the body. Red discoloration is on the face. Skin slip is on the body."

It then noted: "The feet are mummified."

The that "no blood was available for toxicology testing, so liver, brain, and chest fluid were tested along with a hair sample."

The , brain, and chest fluid was minimal and is consistent with decomposition.

The liver, brain, and chest fluid also tested positive for diphenhydramine, a drug which has a sedating effect on the body.

 The family's cause of death was homicide by unknown means (Anthony two days after he was picked up in Florida)
24
The family's cause of death was homicide by unknown means (Anthony two days after he was picked up in Florida)
 The clothes were stained after weeks of body decay
24
The clothes were stained after weeks of body decayCredit: Orlando Police Department
 Anthony and Megan Todt, and their children Alek, Tyler and Zoe, were reported missing by their family in December
24
Anthony and Megan Todt, and their children Alek, Tyler and Zoe, were reported missing by their family in DecemberCredit: Wesh

Police reported that Todt had himself tried to take a lethal dose of Benadryl when they entered the house during a welfare check in mid-January.

Aleksander, who at 13 was the older of Todt's two sons, had 7.989mg of diphenhydramine in his system at the time of his death.

There was 6.6897mg in his liver and 1.302 mg in his brain, meaning that his father would have given him a dose of approximately 320mg prior to his death.

That is the equivalent of 13 capsules, which each contain 25mg of diphenhydramine.

It is one of the easiest drugs to be absorbed by the body, and it peak effects are usually felt within an hour.

Alek, like the other members of his family, was not given a fatal dose of the over-the-counter medication.

That would have required him to consume around 500mg, which is far more than the recommended dosage for a boy his age and weight, which is just 10mg.

The weights for the family are not precise however as they are taken from the autopsy report, which was performed weeks after they passed away.

Megan Todt had 5.02mg in her body, all of which was in her brain.

Once her weight is considered, that breaks down to approximately 235 mg.

Tyler had 10.632mg in his liver and another 1.446mg in his brain, which combine to make 12.078mg.

That amount, when his weight is taken into account, means that he was given close to 460mg, which would be a near-fatal dose.

 Officials had gone to the home to arrest Todt on an unrelated charge
24
Officials had gone to the home to arrest Todt on an unrelated chargeCredit: Orlando Police Department
 A board with photos of the children inside the home
24
A board with photos of the children inside the homeCredit: Orlando Police Department
 Todt was coach of his son's soccer team
24
Todt was coach of his son's soccer teamCredit: Orlando Police Department

A grand jury indicted Todt on four counts of first-degree murder back in February.

Soon after, the State's Attorney announced she would be bringing back the death penalty, three years after vowing she would no longer seek that form of punishment.

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayayla announced her decision to reinstate the death penalty in a press conference held on the steps of the courthouse.

"Despite my position on the death penalty, my death penalty review board, they move forward, they charge on, they have unanimously voted to seek death in this case," Ayayla told reporters.

Todt told police that murdered his family and their dog Breezy, for which he faces an additional count of animal cruelty.

He had entered a plea of not guilty to the previous charges of second-degree murder, which the State's Attorney charged him with to keep him behind bars while a grand jury deliberated the case.

A number of officers report that when they entered the Disney vacation home on January 13 to arrest Todt on a separate charge, he was found just a few feet away from the marital bedroom.

That is where he had allegedly stacked the decaying bodies of all four family members.

Police later found Megan lying in her marital bed with her four-year-old daughter wrapped in blankets at her feet, and the two boys, 11 and 13, on a mattress on the floor.

The boys and Megan were also covered with blankets.

 The rosary beads that Todt's older son was holding at the time of is death
24
The rosary beads that Todt's older son was holding at the time of is deathCredit: Orlando Police Department
 Evidence taken from the bodies at the scene
24
Evidence taken from the bodies at the sceneCredit: Orlando Police Department
 Todt has entered a plea of not guilty
24
Todt has entered a plea of not guiltyCredit: Facebook

"Upon entry to the residence, a male voice could be heard from the second floor of the residence, a foul odor emitting from inside the residence ( decomposing body) and Agents continued making announcements," wrote Deputy Encarnacion of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office in his report.

"A heavy set white male later identified as Anthony Todt was observed holding onto the railings of the second floor of the residence attempting to walk down the stairway. Anthony slowly walked down the stairway with the assistance of the Agents. Anthony was asked who else is in the residence which he stated his wife Meghan was upstairs and believes she is sleeping."

He later noted that once in the ambulance, Todt told the EMTs "he took an unknown amount of medication (Benadryl) in an attempt to commit suicide.

Court records reveal that Anthony piled the bodies of his family members and their dog into a second floor bedroom, and told his arresting officer that Megan was asleep upstairs.

Megan, whose body was only tentatively identified, had been stabbed twice in the upper abdomen according to the report.

One of those wounds was 3.2 x 1.1 cm wound in the area of the body that houses the liver, right kidney, gallbladder, pancreas, and large and small intestine.

Her body was in a state of putrefactive decomposition, and she was wearing pants, a shirt and socks.

Aleksander and Tyler were both identified by records provided by their dentist.

The older brother was only wearing his underwear and had a single stab wound measuring 5.9 x 3 cm on his left abdomen.

Tyler, who was wearing pants, a shirt and underwear, had a 10.7 x 2.1 cm wound on the upper abdomen.

The youngest member of the family, 4-year-old Zoe, had no visible signs of injury and was only tentatively identified.

It seems that the brutal massacre may have been fuelled by Anthony's own financial ruin.

In court papers, he claims to have just $1500 in assets, coupled with debts totalling $200,000.

His trial starts in June.


Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.

Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at .


 

Topics